2018-00181. Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information, and to allow a second opportunity for public comment on the notice. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions, the accuracy of the estimated burden, ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

DATES:

Comments on the collection(s) of information must be received by the OMB desk officer by February 8, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

When commenting on the proposed information collections, please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be received by the OMB desk officer via one of the following transmissions:

OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: CMS Desk Officer, Fax Number: [phone] OR, Email: [e-mail].

To obtain copies of a supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed collection(s) summarized in this notice, you may make your request using one of following:

1. Access CMS' website address at https://www.cms.gov/​Regulations-and-Guidance/​Legislation/​PaperworkReductionActof1995/​PRA-Listing.html.

2. Email your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and CMS document identifier, to [e-mail].

3. Call the Reports Clearance Office at [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

William Parham at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. The term “collection of information” is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires federal agencies to publish a 30-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, CMS is publishing this notice that summarizes the following proposed collection(s) of information for public comment:

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Reinstatement without change of a previously approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Grants to States for Rate Review and Effective Rate Review Program; Use: Section 2794(c) directs the Secretary to carry out a program to award grants to states, which are to serve the following purposes: (1) Establish or enhance rate review programs, referred to as “Rate Review” activities; (2) Help states to provide data to the Secretary regarding trends in rate increases as well as recommendations regarding plan participation in the Exchange, referred to as “Required Rate Reporting” activities; (3) Establish or enhance Data Centers that collect, analyze, and disseminate health care pricing data to the public, referred to as “Data Center” activities.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released Premium Review Grants in four funding opportunity cycles. Grant recipients must states submit the following to the Secretary for each grant cycle, as applicable: Quarterly reports—30 days after the quarter has ended for the entire duration of the grant; Annual report—This report does not contain data, but instead documents the progress toward establishing or enhancing an Effective Rate Review Program and/or a Data Center; Final report—This report is due at the end of the grant period.

The final rule “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Health Insurance Market Rules; Rate Review” (78 FR 13406, February 27, 2013) modified criteria and factors for states to have an Effective Rate Review Program. These changes were necessary to reflect market reform provisions and to fulfill the statutory requirement that the Secretary, in conjunction with the states, monitor premium increases of health insurance coverage offered through an Exchange and outside of an Exchange.

CMS is authorized under 45 CFR 154.301(d) to evaluate whether, and to what extent, a state's circumstances have changed such that it has begun to or has ceased to satisfy the Effective Rate Review Program criteria. States respond to a questionnaire annually via the Health Insurance Oversight System (HIOS), a web-based data collection system commonly used on a regular basis. All submissions are made electronically and no paper submissions are required. CMS is not requesting any changes to the questionnaire at this time. Form Number: CMS-10380 (OMB control number: 0938-1121); Frequency: Quarterly and Yearly; Affected Public: State governments; Number of Respondents: 51; Total Annual Responses: 571; Total Annual Hours: 15,415. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Lisa Cuozzo at 410-786-1746.)

Dated: January 4, 2018.

William N. Parham, III,

Director, Paperwork Reduction Staff, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.